Sexual assault remains the most underreported crime. As a prosecutor of sexual assault cases for the last 14 years, I have observed that in the vast majority of these cases, there is a delay in reporting the assault.

Sexual assault offenders are motivated by their desire to exercise power and control over their victims. The offender often gains control through intimidation and manipulation. The mental trauma to the victim remains long after the physical act is over. This often results in the victim’s silence.

91-year-old man charged with sexual assault

The Wisconsin Legislature has recognized the trauma experienced by victims of sexual assault and has extended the time limit for prosecution. In 1989, the Legislature began extending the time period to report sexual assaults. Currently, the law permits the prosecution of sexual assault of a child under age 13 years old at any point during the lifetime of a victim for offenses occurring after July 1, 1989. This extension of time for prosecution allowed the Marathon County District Attorney’s Office to recently prosecute and convict an offender for a sexual assault of an 8-year-old child that began in 1990 and was first reported to law enforcement in 2014.

In addition to child sexual assaults, the Legislature has recently extended the time limit for prosecution of sexual intercourse with an adult without his or her consent to 10 years after the assault was committed. These and other extensions of time for the prosecution of sexual assault crimes send a clear message to victims that the criminal justice system will hear their voices and hold the offenders accountable even years after the assaults.

Rock Against Rape among awareness events

One of the most rewarding aspects of prosecuting crimes of sexual assault is witnessing victims become empowered survivors. In a recent case, a young woman came forward after decades of silence. After she reported, she became aware that she was not alone and that others she loved had suffered abuse by this offender. Through her disclosure, she found support and could provide support for others, and she regained some of the control over her life that the perpetrator had taken long ago.

Wausau man, 92, guilty of molestation

I witnessed as she found the courage to face her assailant in court. As we awaited the jury’s verdict in the case, it was apparent that she was no longer a victim, but a survivor. Regardless of the jury’s verdict, she had already won. For years, she thought that she was protecting those she loved by sparing them from the heartache of the assault, but it was only by breaking her silence that she could truly protect those she loved.